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Reusable packaging

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Reusable packagingis manufactured of durable materials and is specifically designed for multiple trips and extended life. Areusable packageor container is "designed for reuse without impairment of its protective function."[1]The termreturnableis sometimes used interchangeably but it can also include returning packages or components for other than reuse:recycling,disposal, incineration, etc. Typically, the materials used to make returnable packaging include steel, wood,polypropylenesheets or otherplasticmaterials.[2]

Reusability ofpackagingis an important consideration of the environmental credo of "reduce,reuse,and recycle ". It is also important to the movement toward moresustainable packaging.Returnable packaging is encouraged by regulators.[3][4]

Shipping containers[edit]

For many years, several types ofshipping containershave been returnable and reusable. These have made most sense when areverse logisticssystem is available or can be readily developed.[5]A return, reconditioning, and reuse system can save money on the cost per shipment and can reduce the environmental footprint of the packaging.[6][7]

Manufacturing, particularly theautomotive industry,has used heavy-duty returnable racks for shipping hoods, fenders, engines, dashboards, etc. from suppliers to final assembly plants. The racks are then returned for the next shipment cycle.

Bulk foods, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals are often shipped in reusable and returnable containers. These need to be carefully inspected, cleaned and sanitized as part of the reuse cycle. An effectivequality management systemis necessary.

Woodenpalletsare often made to be expendable, for a single shipment. Others are heavy duty and intended for multiple shipments. Some are in "pallet pools" which are used, inspected, and refurbished for extended usage.

Often reusable industrial shipping containers havebar codelabels orradio-frequency identification(RFID) chips to help identify and route the containers.

  • A typical keg (half-barrel) with a single opening in the center of the top end
    A typical keg (half-barrel) with a single opening in the center of the top end
  • Industrial compressed gas cylinders
    Industrial compressed gas cylinders
  • Steel drums can be reconditioned and reused
    Steel drums can be reconditioned and reused
  • Plastic molded transit case with pre-cut foam interior
    Plastic molded transit case with pre-cut foam interior
  • Returnable/reusable plastic tote box, Euro container
    Returnable/reusable plastic tote box,Euro container
  • Container for bulk vegetable oil
    Container for bulk vegetable oil
  • Heavy-duty reusable wooden pallet
    Heavy-duty reusable woodenpallet
  • Reusable field bins for fruit
    Reusable field bins for fruit
  • Stackable plastic containers
    Stackableplastic containers
  • Carrots on display in returnable plastic bins
    Carrots on display in returnable plastic bins

Use in the automotive industry[edit]

Automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) use and encourage the use of returnable packaging to move components from their vendors to their factories. The components are placed in returnable packaging and are at times and arranged in a way that facilitates movement straight to assemble lines. Such packaging replaces traditional corrugated cartons, thereby helping companies cut costs by avoiding wastage and effort required in disposing the cartons. It also helps in reducing the environmental footprint of the automotive industry.

Other advantages of using returnable packaging include avoiding damages to parts in while in transit. Parts are at times placed in specially designed receptacles for easy picking on the assembly line contributing to fewer mistakes and simpler inventory management.

A few examples of returnable packaging in automotive industry:

A steel cage used as reusable packaging
A wooden pallet collar box
Acorrugated plasticbox used as reusable packing
Corrugated plasticdividers used to pack automotive components

Consumer packaging and containers[edit]

See also:Reuse of bottles

Several types of consumer containers have been in reuse systems.Reusable bottlesfor milk, soda, and beer have been part of closed-loop use-return-clean-refill-reuse cycles.Food storage containersare typically reusable. Thick plasticwater bottlesare promoted as an environmental improvement over thinsingle-usewater bottles. Someplastic cupscan be re-used, though most are disposable.

Home canning often uses glassmason jarswhich are often reused several times.

Many non-food types ofcontainers,includingreusable shopping bags,andluggage,are designed to be reused by consumers.

With anyfood packaging,proper cleaning and disinfecting between each use is critical to health.

In September 2019, the UK Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee released a report claiming that the official intervention should encourage more shops to offer refillable options instead of traditional single-use packing.[8]

  • Home storage containers
    Home storage containers
  • Delivering milk in India in reusable stainless steel containers
    Delivering milk in India in reusable stainless steel containers
  • Reusable milk bottles and carrier
    Reusable milk bottles and carrier
  • Reusable shopping bag
    Reusable shopping bag
  • Mason jars for canning
    Mason jarsfor canning
  • Glass bottles of mineral water in crates
    Glass bottles of mineral water in crates
  • Christmas tree ornaments in storage boxes
    Christmas tree ornaments in storage boxes
  • Refillable liquid soap dispenser
    Refillable liquid soap dispenser
  • Flip-top or bail closure on storage jar
    Flip-topor bail closure on storage jar
  • Gass grill with reusable liquefied petroleum gas cylinder
    Gass grill with reusableliquefied petroleum gascylinder

Reuse for other purposes[edit]

Main article:Repurposing

Used packages are often reused for purposes other than their primary use. For example, asingle-useplastic shopping bagmight be reused as abin bag,a household storage bag or a dog faeces bag. Steeldrumscan be reused as traffic barricades, dock flotation, and asmusical instruments

Justification[edit]

Reusable packaging often costs more initially and uses more and different materials than single-use packaging. It often requires adding complexity to the distribution system.[9]Not all packaging justifies being returnable and reusable.

A thorough cost analysis is required. This involves all of the material, labor, transport, inspection, refurbishing, cleaning, and management costs. Often these costs may be incurred by different companies with different cost structures.[10][11]

The environmental costs and benefits can also be complex. The material, energy, pollution, etc. needs to be accounted for throughout the entire system. Alife cycle assessmentoffers a good methodology for this task.[12][13][14][15]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ASTMD996
  2. ^Soroka, W.Illustrated Glossary of Packaging Terminology(Second ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals. p. 185.
  3. ^Use Reusables: Fundamentals of Reusable Transport Packaging(PDF),US Environmental Protection Agency, 2012,retrieved28 June2014
  4. ^Golding, A (2004),Reuse of Primary Packaging(PDF),Contract B4-3040/98/000180/MAR/E3, European Commission,retrieved30 June2014
  5. ^Twede, D (2009), "Logistical/Distribution Packaging", in Yam, K L (ed.),Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology,Wiley,ISBN978-0-470-08704-6
  6. ^Ernst & Young Accountants (2014),Life Cycle Assessment of Newly Manufactured and Reconditioned Industrial Packaging(PDF),Reusable Industrial Packaging Association
  7. ^Zimmerman, T (2020)."Single-use vs. reusable packaging in e-commerce: comparing carbon footprints and identifying break-even points"(PDF).GAIA.29(3): 176–173.doi:10.14512/gaia.29.3.8.S2CID235861717.Retrieved7 May2023.
  8. ^"Plastic food and drink packaging".Publications.parliament.uk.12 September 2019.
  9. ^Twede, S (2004). "Supply Chain Issues in Reusable Packaging".Journal of Marketing Channels.12(1): 7–26.doi:10.1300/J049v12n01_02.S2CID153350817.
  10. ^Tomey, R D (1995). "Returnable Packaging Components in Physical Distribution Systems". In Fiedler, R M (ed.).Distribution Packaging Technology.Institute of Packaging Professionals.
  11. ^Harder, MS (1996). "How to Develop a Returnable Pack for Multiple Plant Use". In Fiedler, R M (ed.).The Best of TransPack.Institute of Packaging Professionals.
  12. ^Mata, T M (2001). "Life cycle assessment of different reuse percentages for glass beer bottles".International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.6(5): 58–63.doi:10.1007/BF02978793.S2CID111259179.
  13. ^Spitzly, David (1997),Life Cycle Design of Milk and Juice Packaging(PDF),U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,retrieved29 June2014
  14. ^Singh, J; Krasowski, Singh (January 2011), "Life cycle inventory of HDPE bottle-based liquid milk packaging systems",Packaging Technology and Science,24:49–60,CiteSeerX10.1.1.1029.2590,doi:10.1002/pts.909,S2CID6850034
  15. ^Van Doorsselaer, K; Fox (2000), "Estimation of the energy needs in life cycle analysis of one-way and returnable glass packaging",Packaging Technology and Science,12(5): 235–239,doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-1522(199909/10)12:5<235::AID-PTS474>3.0.CO;2-W

Books, general references[edit]

  • Design Criteria for Specialized Shipping Containers, US DoD, Mil-Std 648D, 1999,[1]
  • McKinlay, A. H., "Transport Packaging", Institute of Packaging Professionals, 2004
  • Yam, K.L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009,ISBN978-0-470-08704-6

Industry Associations

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